How to Write a Cinquain

Often used to refer to any five-line stanza, the cinquain is a fully defined traditional stanza of syllabic poetry. Created by Adelaide Crapsey while translating Japanese poetry, the form consists of a five-line, unrhymed stanza with lines fitting a 2-4-6-8-2 syllabic pattern.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Dictionaries
• Thesauri

1. Consider the subject matter that you wish to address in your poem.

2. Keep in mind that the cinquain is a fairly short form. You'll have to address your subject in a very limited amount of space.

3. Write your first line of poetry with only two syllables. The next line will contain four syllables, followed by a line with six syllables, followed by a line with eight syllables.

4. Conclude the cinquain with a line consisting of two syllables.

5. Revise as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Word economy - saying as much as you can in the least number of words - is vital in a poem this short.

• While a lot of people recommend finding a nice, quiet place to write, sometimes the best place to write is at "ground zero." For instance, a poem about a subway station that is actually written at a subway station will probably be much different than one written in a creative bunker.

• Don't let peers claiming to be poets discourage you from using poetic forms. When you hear a poet say how much he or she dislikes writing in form, remember that a great artist sees the opportunities in every canvas, regardless of shape or size. A poor artist sees only the limitations.